The Football Association has opened an investigation after Rio Ferdinand was
hit by a coin and confronted by a supporter on the pitch during a stormy
Manchester derby.

Manchester City offered their “sincere apologies” to Ferdinand in a statement on Sunday night and “unreservedly condemned” the incidents.

“Security officials are co-operating fully with Greater Manchester Police in relation to events leading up to the throwing of missiles onto the field of play, and between the two sets of supporters,” the club said.

FA officials will await reports from referee Martin Atkinson and its crowd control adviser but City are likely to face sanction for the failure of their stewards to prevent the pitch invasion and also the missile attack on Ferdinand. The FA will support the handing out of life bans to those ­supporters responsible for the “appalling” behaviour.

“We condemn any such acts and it is simply unacceptable that any player is exposed to injury in this way,” an FA spokesperson said. “To witness Rio Ferdinand leaving the field with a cut above his eye to receive treatment is appalling.

“Football in this country has made great progress over recent decades. However, we must maintain the safety and security inside of our stadia and to do this we need to isolate and identify any individuals guilty of offences with strong penalties to act as a deterrent to others.”

<noframe>Twitter: Rio Ferdinand - Respect to Joe Hart for protecting that idiot who ran on!! Love the banter between fans but there is a point when it goes too far...calm it!</noframe>

United's 3-2 victory, secured by Robin van Persie’s injury-time free-kick, was also marred by Greater Manchester Police arresting a supporter on suspicion of committing a racially aggravated public order offence after officers heard racist chanting. It is understood that the racist abuse was not directed at a player from either side, with the arrest being made in relation to an incident between supporters.

Meanwhile, GMP confirmed that it was aware of “racist tweets” directed at Ferdinand and that the force was “investigating” the matter.

During a rancorous derby, a number of blue flares were thrown onto the pitch in the second half of the game, while Wayne Rooney also handed a coin to the referee that had been thrown when he attempted to take a corner. Video footage also emerged following the match of City forward Mario Balotelli having his Bentley car with its camouflage livery crowded by chanting United supporters leaving the stadium.

Ferdinand was hit by a coin just above his left eye while celebrating United’s winning goal and moments later, with the blooded wound clearly visible, he was spared a confrontation with a supporter on the pitch after City goalkeeper Joe Hart intervened to block the fan before he was detained by stewards.

<noframe>Twitter: Rio Ferdinand - what a result,3points! Sweet! Whoever threw that coin,what a shot! Can't believe it was a copper 2p....could have at least been a &#163;1 coin!</noframe>

Following the game, Ferdinand said on Twitter: “what a result, 3points! Sweet! Whoever threw that coin,what a shot! Can’t believe it was a copper 2p....could have at least been a £1 coin! Respect to Joe Hart for protecting that idiot who ran on!! Love the banter between fans but there is a point when it goes too far...calm it!”

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson condemned the incidents. “It’s unfortunate that a City fan runs on and coins are thrown,” Ferguson said. “That shouldn’t happen. The same thing happened at Chelsea.

“At Chelsea, we had half a seat thrown on the pitch, plus coins and lighters, and nothing was done about it. It’s a problem.”

Van Persie, whose goal led to the ugly scenes, added: “I missed the thing with Rio so I will have to look back at it, but that should not really happen on a football pitch.”

City officials confirmed last night that the club will work closely with police and use CCTV footage and eyewitness statements to identify the coin throwers. The club will punish any fans found guilty and made it clear that they will support any action that the police deem necessary should the culprits be identified.

City manager Roberto Mancini condemned the incidents involving the club’s fans, saying: “We have a fantastic support, but we can’t do what somebody did. It’s not good.”

Speaking about the match, which left United six points clear of their neighbours at the top of the Premier League, Ferguson admitted City had deserved to draw level before Van Persie’s winner despite Ashley Young being incorrectly denied a goal for offside.

“We had a goal that was perfectly onside ruled out and they then go up the pitch and score,” Ferguson said. “That is the kind of game football is and it can kill you and kick you in the teeth. City deserved to come back when it was 2-2, but up to that point, I thought we were far better than them.

“I have not known many more dramatic days than that. Today was a special one as City had not lost for two years in the league at home. You could not take your eyes off it and I thought we played very well, but City will be fresh in the second half of the season. They are out of European football and we have to contend with European football, the FA Cup and the league. It’s a challenge – we’ve always accepted challenges.”